How to add lighting to sprites

I'm trying to make a flashlight for a 2D game that will actually allow sprites to cast shadows. I know you can achieve a flashlight effect by erasing part of a something black and then just setting that as your highest layer but this doesn't cast any shadows. Is it possible to give my sprites height so that they are 3D objects that can cast shadows or do I need to find another solution? Thanks.

 

You can use 3D lighting to make it easier but that will start moving into higher system requirements